[Joe Chapline]

Good thread, thanks KLizotte. All: I’m moving this to General Discussion since it’s not particularly about commuting. Please let me know if this makes it difficult to find. I wonder if we should have a section about crashes and near-misses.

[Joe Chapline]

@Tim Kelley 5197 wrote:

On the topic of drafting, I recently had a woman on a hybrid/cruiser bike berate me for “drafting” behind her at 10mph.

I actually have had people try to draft behind my hybrid commuter, for real. Come to think of it, that’s why I have such a negative reaction. Anyone trying to draft behind me clearly doesn’t know what they’re doing. Another commuter accessory to add to my shopping list: a Yosemite Sam “Back Off” mudflap.

[Joe Chapline]

The drafting discussion is timely. With the Tour de France starting in two days, I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s an increase in trail riders mimicking the pros.

[Joe Chapline]

@Dirt 5185 wrote:

For drafting, I usually pull to the front and take a pull, then see if the person wants to take a pull. If I’m not able to get around and do that, I will ask if I can take a wheel for a few.

I think having a stranger pull up right behind me is creepy. Plus, rightly or wrongly, I worry that someone who’s behaving like they’re in race is probably going to ride up my back if I stop at a stop sign. Dirt’s approach would work, because if someone pulls in front, I can stop and wait until the crazy person is out of sight.

[Joe Chapline]

Annie, that looks like about a 12-mile commute, mostly on the trail. That’s a good distance, so you will value speed and efficiency in your bike. I would pick a bike shop, tell them what you plan to use the bike for, ride a few, and see what you like. I think you will want a bike with 700c wheels, either a hybrid or road bike, no mountain bikes. I agree that you shouldn’t go overboard spending on your first bike. In new bikes, I would be looking around the $500-$600 price point. You might ask if the shop sells used bikes and also about their return/trade-in policy.

Although I suggest buying from a shop, it’s very helpful to do research online. Each bike shop sells a few brands. You can research those brands online, check out the exact differences between models, and decide what models you would like to look at. You don’t have to choose from what happens to be in the store on the day you go in — the bike shop should be willing and able to get in the model(s) you want to see. (They did for me.)

[Joe Chapline]

I always recommend riding a bike before buying it, so that would rule out the Amazon bike. Both of the Craigslist bikes look interesting. If it was me, I would refine my search for used bikes by focusing on bikes I could go see (and ride) easily. One of the Craigslist bikes is in Alexandria, one is in Dupont Circle. One is probably closer to you than the other.

[Joe Chapline]

Jim T, welcome to the forum, and I hope you get your computer back. I moved this thread to “Lost and Found.”

[Joe Chapline]

If anyone attends this discussion and can get notes, handouts, or links to online resources, we could post them here.

[Joe Chapline]

Years ago an Arlington arborist pointed this out to me after I had just locked my bike to a small tree. I told him that’s why I chose the one dead tree out of 10 or so. We had a nice talk, and he told me where the bike racks were — on the other side of a huge building, where I couldn’t see them. It’s good to scatter racks around buildings with multiple entrances, considering all directions cyclists might be coming from.

[Joe Chapline]

Good idea, CCrew. I’ll work on that next week if I can’t get Tim to do it.

[Joe Chapline]

@jrenaut 4901 wrote:

I don’t mean to be rude, but are you a spambot?

I’m pretty sure that’s not the case.

[Joe Chapline]

Welcome to the forum, eBikeDude. I don’t think anyone has mentioned e-bikes yet, but I’m sure everyone will be nice if they have anything to say.

[Joe Chapline]

@Jsnyd 4838 wrote:

Without posting a new thread, can I ask about shoes? I have pedals, cleats and am waiting to pull the trigger on a pair of shoes. I was told not to buy online until I’ve gone into a shop and tried them on. Should I do this? It’s much easier to just buy them now. If I know they are good shoes and have a good idea what size to order. Is it worth the effort?

I’m new to bike shoes, too, and buy most things online. I bought shoes online and had to return them. The sizes are inconsistent from brand to brand and tend to run small for what they list as the U.S. size.

[Joe Chapline]

In most places, riding on the sidewalk is legal, and I’ve never heard of any rule restricting which direction you can ride (or walk) on a sidewalk.

[Joe Chapline]

Mattyacc, welcome to the forum, so sorry you were doored, and glad you weren’t badly hurt.

Does anyone know of a place, other than the Police Dept., to report/record bike accidents?

My contribution to the discussion: Even though it’s a common practice, I’ve always thought it was dangerous to pass stopped cars on the right when there’s no separate bike lane. Dooring on the car’s passenger side can happen, and also drivers turning right at the intersection are probably not going to look behind them. I was a passenger in a car recently when we luckily avoided hitting a cyclist while we were making a legal right turn on red. I couldn’t really fault the driver. When I come to a stop sign or red light (on the bike), I usually occupy the lane and take my turn with the drivers who are waiting. I’ve wondered about the “Idaho stop” sometimes proposed. I’m OK with not having to come to a complete stop at stop signs, but if bikes are allowed go through red lights, that gives them more incentive to pass stopped cars on the right.

Addendum: I don’t ride in DC, where car traffic may be backed up for blocks. If I did, I’d probably be splitting the lane, too.

[Author]

Replies